Maoist triggered IED blast in Chhattisgarh leaves two CRPF personnel injured

Two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured on Thursday in Dantewada district of south Chhattisgarh. Their patrol was targeted by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast, suspected to have been triggered by Maoist insurgents.

The attack once again highlighted the persistent threat posed by left-wing extremists, even as security forces continue to maintain pressure on insurgent networks.

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The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. along the Barsur–Palli road, a region known for frequent insurgent activity. The personnel, part of the 195th battalion, were conducting a routine area domination and demining exercise approximately 800 meters from the Satdhar bridge when the pressure-activated device detonated.

Inspector Diwan Singh Gurjar and Constable Alam Munesh sustained injuries in the blast. Confirming the incident, Additional Superintendent of Police R K Burman stated, “The injured jawans received immediate first aid and were stabilised at the Dantewada hospital. Arrangements are being made to airlift them to Raipur for further specialised care. Their injuries are not life-threatening.”

This attack, a tactic frequently employed to disrupt security operations, comes just a day after security forces eliminated a high-value Maoist commander in a successful operation in the neighbouring Kanker district. The contrasting events highlight the dual reality of the conflict: significant gains against the insurgent leadership are often met with retaliatory asymmetric attacks.

Reinforcements were swiftly deployed to secure the area and initiate combing operations to track the perpetrators. The Barsur–Malewahi corridor has been a focal point of Maoist efforts to impede infrastructure development and security movement.

Dantewada SP Gaurav Rai, reflecting on the incident, noted, “Such attacks are a desperate attempt to disrupt our sustained operations. However, our response protocols, from immediate medical evacuation to continued offensive actions, demonstrate a resilience that is steadily diminishing the Maoists’ influence across Bastar.”